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max2

macrumors 603
Original poster
May 31, 2015
6,400
2,032
Which do you prefer with the Macbook Air ?

Is 13.6" too small ?
 

Moreplease

macrumors member
Jan 20, 2024
51
55
If we’re describing the 13-inch MacBook Air as having a 13.6-inch screen, it’s only fair to describe the 15-inch model as having a 15.3-inch screen.

That’s the difference: 13.6 versus 15.3 inches. The larger one has a 12.5% linearly larger screen.
 

kschendel

macrumors 65816
Dec 9, 2014
1,281
556
It's a personal decision. Nobody can say "too small" or "too large" for you because circumstances differ.

I like the 15" because I don't care to use an external monitor and my eyes aren't what they were 50 years ago (and they never were great). It spends probably 40+ weeks out of 52 in a year sitting on my desk.

If you lug the computer around all day long, frequently work on airplanes in economy, etc then the smaller and lighter 13" screen might be for you.
 
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jazz1

Contributor
Aug 19, 2002
4,500
18,210
Mid-West USA
I have the smaller MacBook Air but I use it mainly as a desktop (two screens) and as a travel laptop. For this arrangement it works fine. YMMV.
I didn’t know the MacBook Air supported two screens? Are you using a dock or just the computer? Is the MBA an M2? Thanks!
 

max2

macrumors 603
Original poster
May 31, 2015
6,400
2,032
Is the 15.3 inch Macbook Air M2 screen better than the older 13 inch Macbook Air M2 or not really?
 

1096bimu

macrumors 6502
Nov 7, 2017
437
537
I like small laptops but the 13" air has the worst speaker, plus the screen is less than the traditional 2x resolution.
 

Zest28

macrumors 68020
Jul 11, 2022
2,213
3,065
I don't know. The 15" MBA looks like a Jony Ivy 15" MBP with no speaker grills. It looks a bit off to me.

I might consider picking up a 15" M4/M5 MBA once Apple puts OLED displays in these things.
 
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mysticmanix

macrumors member
May 30, 2021
81
121
15 inch, the amount of additional screen space is huge. It feels closer to the 16 inch than it is to the 14 inch. 14 inch screen size is okay, but still a bit cramped and I have to physically slouch to use it still.
 

Makisupa Policeman

macrumors 6502
Sep 28, 2021
464
324
I will say the 13.6” M2 Air is a surprisingly good size—something about that extra 0.3” and the overall flatter design vs. the M1 wedge design adds a lot in making it feel bigger than it actually is, in a good way. I remember when I first saw one in the store I mistook it for the 15” Air for a moment, that is of course until i saw an actual 15” haha.
 

geta

macrumors 68000
May 18, 2010
1,517
1,243
The Moon
That extra 12% screen space is HUGE. Trust me, once you get used to it, you’ll have a hard time going back to anything smaller.

Sure there is a difference, but it come in a price of bigger size and extra weight.
 

Isamilis

macrumors 68020
Apr 3, 2012
2,072
968
Sure there is a difference, but it come in a price of bigger size and extra weight.
Fortunately the bigger size and extra weight are not much difference due to small bezel and thin design (it can still fit in 14” case). It’s still very worthy with the bigger screen real estate compared to 13”.
 
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ascender

macrumors 601
Dec 8, 2005
4,977
2,870
The 15" Air is great if you need more space on-screen, be it for multiple apps in one space or if your eyes are getting older like mine.

Its also good if you want to be working on it for a while without needing an external monitor - that's a plus point for the 15 & 16" IMO

A couple of others have touched on it, but the size and weight are deceptively light due to the design. Very easy to carry it one handed and the only downside if you're using it while traveling will be the footprint if working in cramped spaces.
 
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ctjack

macrumors 65816
Mar 8, 2020
1,371
1,412
The 15" Air is great if you need more space on-screen, be it for multiple apps in one space or if your eyes are getting older like mine.

Its also good if you want to be working on it for a while without needing an external monitor - that's a plus point for the 15 & 16" IMO

A couple of others have touched on it, but the size and weight are deceptively light due to the design. Very easy to carry it one handed and the only downside if you're using it while traveling will be the footprint if working in cramped spaces.
Yeap, it is in fact lighter by quarter pound(100grams or almost 13 mini) than mbp 14 pro.
 

ascender

macrumors 601
Dec 8, 2005
4,977
2,870
Yeap, it is in fact lighter by quarter pound(100grams or almost 13 mini) than mbp 14 pro.
I've got both here and it feels a lot lighter than that, I think because of the form factor. The weight is distributed out across the larger space whereas the 14" has more weight in a smaller footprint. Its a dense machine!
 
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Euroamerican

macrumors 6502
May 27, 2010
463
337
Boise
I have gone for smaller screens on my laptops in the past, but I am starting to want a bigger screen "while mobile".

Luckily the Airs are very light compared to laptops of old.

For my current "walking around between offices within a campus" job, I'd actually like a tablet with a touch screen more than a laptop. Or.... a convertible that allows me for light Excel use (rows and columns to type into) once I get to a seat in an office.

iPhone plus a 13 inch Windows 10 laptop is my current work combo.
 

outlawarth

macrumors 6502a
Mar 20, 2011
526
620
I have gone for smaller screens on my laptops in the past, but I am starting to want a bigger screen "while mobile".

Luckily the Airs are very light compared to laptops of old.

For my current "walking around between offices within a campus" job, I'd actually like a tablet with a touch screen more than a laptop. Or.... a convertible that allows me for light Excel use (rows and columns to type into) once I get to a seat in an office.

iPhone plus a 13 inch Windows 10 laptop is my current work combo.
I suppose the 12.9 iPad did not fit that need for you?
 
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